COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Rutgers' Burton aims for larger imprint in offense

PISCATAWAY — Michael Burton’s last touch came Sept. 22 on a 12-yard catch at Arkansas. After a six-month layoff, the junior fullback is preparing for a lot more.

“So far this summer, I’ve been playing both running back and fullback, just trying to learn as much as I can of the offense,” Burton said Thursday at the Hale Center. “I want to prove to (new offensive coordinator Ron Prince) that I can do whatever he asks me to do. I don’t want to be a one-dimensional guy. I want to be able to line up here, line up there, catch this ball, run here.”

Rutgers’ conception of the fullback began to change in 2011, when former running back Joe Martinek inherited the vacant position. Burton soon overtook the then-fifth-year senior, making occasional plays in space until his season-ending ankle injury in 2012.

After 15 spring practices under Prince, Burton already anticipates a philosophy switch at the position.

“It’s definitely different,” Burton said. “Just based off the spring, I feel like we’re getting a lot more passes. We’ll have more opportunities to carry the ball. But we have to be able to prove that to coach, that I can carry that type of load. I think I’m going to do that.”

Burton said Prince’s idea of a fullback involves more route combinations out the backfield, designed to create mismatches in space. Prince carries the same concept throughout the offense, his first since coaching Virginia’s group from 2003-05.

Prince has also overhauled Rutgers’ run scheme, now based around a zone-blocking and off-tackle runs.

“I definitely think that it’s going to suit Savon and the backs better,” Burton said. “I think Savon had a better spring this year, and I think all the running backs did.”

Burton said each group in the run game faces adjustments.

Instead of a traditional power approach, Scarlet Knights running backs will use misdirections and read a changing blocking system, junior Savon Huggins said Wednesday.

Burton said he is playing at 235 pounds now, seven pounds heavier than in 2012. He reached 240 during his fall rehab, when he worked with trainers twice a week and lifted two times a day with strength and conditioning assistants Kyle Murray and Mike Tufo.

“They live in there,” Burton said.

But he’s had limited contact with Prince, the man he will most likely want to impress.

Behind Huggins, sophomore Paul James and redshirt freshman Desmon Peoples have two career appearances. When Huggins was banged up early last season, Burton took a few practice reps in the backfield and was widely expected to spell Jawan Jamison, now in the NFL.

The result: a school-record 41 carries for Jamison on Sept. 13 at South Florida, the only touches for a running back.

“I know (Prince) knows I can get better,” Burton said.

For now, Burton, a high school running back, continues to work on his cuts, footwork and carrying. He said he could fully run on his ankle in the winter and noticed improvements during a high-carry spring.